COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) Board of Directors recently voted to expand membership to include fourth and fifth grade riders in the middle-school division of Hunt Seat, Western and Dressage. For the past 17 seasons, IEA has been offered only to riders in grades 6 through 12.

With the addition of younger aged riders, the Board of Directors is also considering some changes to class offerings, but those are not yet finalized and will be released at a later date

“We are thrilled to add fourth and fifth graders into our riding programs for next year!” said IEA Executive Director, Roxane Durant. “We started with an educational horsemanship program for these younger riders a few years ago, and there is so much demand that we are now opening our teams and competitions to them also. Giving students an earlier start to equine athletics is a great addition on every level. The earlier you find horses, the more years you will have to enjoy them!”